Liquid level device and applicator roll



Oct. 4, 1966 I. G. NICHOL LIQUID LEVEL DEVICE AND APPLICATOR ROLL Filed April 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l L Eibw EOKK INVENTOR lVEN G. NICHOL AT TOFQN EYS Oct. 4, 1966 1. e. NICHOL 3,276,421

LIQUID LEVEL DEVICE AND APPLICATOR ROLL Filed April 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F I G- 2 "ENTOR. IV G. NICHOL ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,276,421 LIQUID LEVEL DEVICE AND APPLICATOR ROLL Iven G. Nichol, 156 Club Road, Stamford, Conn. Filed Apr. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 275,636 9 Claims. (Cl. 1187) This invention relates to a device for maintaining a predetermined level of liquid in a container. More specifically, in a preferred embodiment this invention relates to a device for applying glue to an article wherein means are provided for maintaining a predetermined level of glue in the device.

In its broader aspects the present invention is useful in almost any type of device where it is important that the level of fluid in the device not exceed a predetermined level. The present invention is useful regardless of the type of liquid material used in the device so long as the material used by the device is in liquid, flowable condition. Accordingly, the present invention can be used in conjunction with hot or cold liquid materials such as plastics, adhesives and other fiowable liquids.

Many devices in the past have been suggested and used for the purpose of maintaining a level of liquid in a container below a predetermined level. Some of these prior devices have been considered as unsatisfactory because they were complicated, difllcult to maintain in operating condition or unreliable in their operation.

The present invention is an improvement over prior devices in that it is relatively simple in its construction and provides for reliable and trouble free operation. In addition, Where the device embodying the present invention is utilized for applying glue to articles, many of the parts used therein serve a dual function. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention some of the elements used to apply glue to cardboard elements utilized in the construction of paper cartons and the like are also used to maintain the level of glue in the glue pot at a predetermined level.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved device for maintaining a predetermined amount of liquid in a container. Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device for applying glue to articles which device includes means for maintaining a predetermined amount of glue in the glue pot.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned from practicing the invention, the objects and advantages being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, construction, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial sectional view and partial elevation View of a device embodying the present invention taken along line 11 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation view with the cover plate removed.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is an end elevation view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

A device embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein there is shown a container 2 which is in communication through pipe 4 with the reservoir 6.

The reservoir 6 is located within the frame 5. The frame can conveniently be provided with a removable cover 7 to permit easy access to the operating parts of the devices for the purposes of repair and cleaning.

A cavity 8 having a preferable circular configuration is located above and in communication with the reservoir 6. As noted hereinbefore, the reservoir and container are adapted to hold any type of liquid material so long as such material is in a liquid flowa'ble condition. The reservoir and container are illustrated as separate parts for clarity of illustration, but since these parts are in communication they can be considered as one integral part.

In accordance with this invention, means are provided for maintaining a predetermined level of liquid in the container or reservoir. As embodied herein, this means include a rotatable shaft 10 mounted on bearings 12 in the frame and extending into cavity 8. As shown in the drawings, the shaft may be driven by the motor 14. Alternatively, the shaft may be driven by other connected machinery through a conventional-gearing arrangement.

A rotor 18 is mounted for rotation within the cavity by fixedly attaching it to one end of the shaft by conventional means such as a nut 20 threaded onto the shaft. A plurality of vanes 22 are mounted on one side of the rotor and extend at right angles therefrom. Although six vanes are illustrated in the drawing, it is obvious that a greater or smaller number can be utilized in the practice of this invention. The vanes are in sealing engagement with the walls of the cavity forming thereby a channel 24 through which the fluid can be conducted during rotation of the rotor after the liquid reaches a predetermined level.

The vertical position of the shaft 10 and vanes 22 is dependent upon the desired or predetermined level of liquid in the reservoir or container.

As shown in the accompanying drawing the letter A indicates the desired predetermined level of liquid in the container 2. It is, of course, an object of this invention to prevent the level of liquid from going above the predetermined level and to maintain the level of liquid at that level. Accordingly, the shaft and thus the vanes are positioned so that when the vanes are in their lowest position during rotation of the rotor, they are located silghtly below the predetermined level of liquid.

The vanes, therefore, extend down from the cavity into the reservoir a distance silghtly below the predetermined level as indicated by the reference letter A.

In accordance with this invention, means are provided for supplying liquid to the container. As embodied herein, this means comprises a motor 2 -5 driving a pump 28. The motor 26 drives the pump 28 in a conventional manner and supplies fluid from a source of supply to the container and the reservoir. The invention, of course, is not limited to this particular arrangement. For example, the supply means could be a gravity feed construction with a solenoid operated valve in the line intermediate the supply of fluid and the container.

In any event it is .an object of this invention to pro-- vi-de means whereby liquid will not be supplied to the container after the level of fluid reaches the predetermined level.

In accordance with this invention means are provided whereby the liquid in excess of the predetermined amount is used to prevent more liquid from being fed to the container. As embodied herein, this means includes a rocking shaft 32 mounted on the frame :5 and having an internal lever 33 fixedly mounted at one end thereof. A coil spring 34 surrounds the shaft and engages the frame in order to bias the lever into the full line position (FIG. 2) where it extends into the cavity '8. At the other end of the rocking shaft 32 is an external lever 36. The external lever 36 is mounted in co-operative relationship with respect to an actuator for operation a microswitch 38 in the conventional manner. When the internal lever 33 is biased into its full line position the external lever maintains the microswitch in a closed position thereby permitting liquid to be fed into the container. The microswitch 38 and associated elements are mounted for convenience on the plate 35.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:

When the liquid level in the container 2 rises above the predetermined level as indicated by the letter A, the vanes which are rotating with the rotor will entrain the liquid and carry the liquid through the channel so that it comes into contact with the biased internal lever to move it against the bias of the spring to the dotted line position. In moving to the dotted line position the internal lever rotates the shaft and hence the external lever to a position which releases the microswitch thus turning off the motor and preventing further liquid from being fed into the container.

Alternatively, as noted above, the movement of the internal lever could close .a solenoid operated valve between a gravity feed device and the container.

It will be appreciated that the microswitch 38 can be constructed and arranged with respect to the motor so that when the level of liquid goes below the predetermined level fluid will again feed int-o the container until such time that the fluid again goes above the predetermined level. In like manner where a gravity feed and solenoid operated valve arrangement is utilized the valve will be opened when the level of liquid goes below the predetermined level to again feed liquid to the container.

In FIGURE 4 there is shown a glue applying device embodying the present invention. This preferred form of the invention is, with the exceptions noted herein, identical with that described above.

Where the invention is embodied in a glue aplying machine the diameter of the rotor is enlarged so as to provide a glue applying surface 43* which extends through a slot in the frame. The articles 42 to which the glue is to be applied are guided to a position wherein they come into contact with the glue applying surface of the rotor.

It is to be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to be specific elements, constructions, arrangements and improvements shown and described, but also includes within the scope of the accompanying claims and departures made from such elements, constructions, arrangements and improvements which do not sacrifice the chief advantages thereof.

What is claimed is:

'1. A liquid level control device for maintaining a predetermined level within a container comprising a container for liquid, a cavity communicating with said container, means for supplying liquid to the container, drum means mounted for rotation in said cavity, a plurality of vanes extending from said drum means into sealing engagement with the walls of said cavity, said vanes extending below the predetermined level of liquid in said container and means including a pivoted lever extending into said cavity for controlling the supply of liquid to said container.

2. A liquid level control device for maintaining a predetermined level of liquid in a container comprising a container for liquid including -a reservoir and a cavity, means including .a motor for supplying liquid to said container, a drum member concentrically mounted for rotation in said cavity, a plurality of vanes extending from one side of said drum into sealing engagement with the walls of said cavity, said vanes extending slightly below the predetermined level of liquid in said container, a pivoted lever extending into said cavity, a switch controlling said motor, means whereby when the liquid goes above the predetermined level said lever will actuate said switch.

3. A liquid level control device for maintaining a predetermined level of liquid in a container comprising a container including reservoir and a cavity, means for supplying liquid to said container, a shaft extending int-o said cavity, a drum concentrically mounted on said shaft having a plurality of vanes extending therefrom into sealing engagement with the walls of said cavity, means for rotating said shaft, a spring biased lever extending into said cavity, a microswitch adapted to be actuated in response to movement of said lever, said microswitch controlling said supply means, said lever being actuated by the liquid entrained by said vanes in said cavity when the liquid goes above the predetermined level.

4. A device for applying glue to an article and for maintaining a predetermined level of fluid comprising a container, including a glue reservoir and a cavity, means for supplying glue to said reservoir, a rotatable shaft extending into said cavity, a drum having a plurality of vanes extending from one side into sealing engagement with the walls of said cavity, a glue applying surface on said rotor, a lever extending into said cavity, said lever being adapted to shut off said supply means, said lever being actuated by glue entrained by said vanes during rotation thereof in said cavity.

5. A device for maintaining a predetermined level of liquid in a container comprising a frame, a container including a reservoir and a cavity in said frame, means for supplying liquid to said container, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame and extending into said cavity, a rotor concentrically mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, a plurality of vanes extending from one side of said rotor, said vanes being mounted on said rotor so as to extend below said predetermined level, means for rotating said shaft, a lever extending into said cavity, said lever adapted to operate a switch, said switch controlling said supply means, whereby when the liquid in said container goes above said predetermined level liquid is entrained by said rotating vanes to cause movement of said lever and actuation of said switch to thereby prevent supplying of liquid to said container.

6. A liquid level control device for maintaining a predetermined level of fluid in a container comprising: a container for liquid, means for supplying liquid to said container, a cavity in communication with said container, a rotor mounted for rotation in said cavity, said rotor including means for entraining liquid to a point remote from the surface of the liquid in said cavity only when the liquid level in said cavity goes above said predetermined level, and pressure responsive means actuated by the entrained liquid for preventing further supply of liquid after the level of fluid reaches said predetermined level.

'7. A glue applying device comprising: a frame, a glue pot for containing glue within said frame, means for supplying glue to said glue pot, a cavity in said frame in communication with said glue pot, a rotor having a glue applying surface mounted for rotation in said cavity and extending into said container, a cut away portion in said frame, said glue applying surface extending beyond said frame, a plurality of vanes mounted on one side of said rot-or in sealing engagement with the walls of said cavity, and means operated by the glue entrained by said rotating vanes for preventing further supply of glue into said container when the level of glue in said glue pot goes above :a predetermined level.

8. A glue applying device comprising: a frame, a glue pot in said frame, a cavity in said frame in communication with said glue pot, a rotor mounted for rotation in said cavity, said rotor having a glue applying surface which extends through a slot in said frame and into said glue pot, a plurality of vanes mounted on one side of said rotor and in sealing engagement with the walls of said cavity, .a pivoted lever biased to a normal position within said cavity, and means actuated by said lever in response to rotation of said rotor for preventing supply of glue to said glue pot after the level of glue in said glue pot goes above a predetermined level.

A lue applying device comprising: :a frame, a glue pot in said frame, a cavity in said frame and in communication with said glue pot, a rotor mounted for rotation level of glue goes above a predetermined level in said glue in said cavity, said i'otor having a glue applying surface pot.

which extends through a slot in said frame and into said References Cited by the Examiner glue pot, a plurality of vanes mounted on one side of UNITED STATES PATENTS said rotor and 111 sealing engagement with the walls of 5 said cavity, a rocking shaft mounted in said frame, an 2,406,470 8/1946 Malilm et 1187 internal lever mounted on one end of said shaft, a spring 6/1952 Davls 118-7 for biasing said lever into said cavity, an external lever k mounted on the other end of said shaft, and means for CHARLES WILDMUTH Pnmmy Examme" preventing supply of liquid to said glue pot when the 10 LEON G. MACHLI N, Assistant Examiner.. 

1. A LIQUID LEVEL CONTROL DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING A PREDETERMINED LEVEL WITHIN A CONTAINER COMPRISING A CONTAINER FOR LIQUID, A CAVITY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID COMTAINER, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID TO THE CONTAINER,DRUM MEANS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN SAID CAVITY, A PLURALITY OF VANES EXTENDING FROM SAID DRUM MEANS INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WALLS OF SAID CAVITY, SAID VANES EXTENDING BELOW THE PREDETERMINED LEVEL OF LIQUID IN SAID CONTAINER AND MEANS INCLUDING A PIVOTED LEVER EXTENDING INTO SAID CAVITY FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF LIQUID TO SAID CONTAINER. 